Don’t Let Nerds Ruin Your Home Insurance

Brits love to put themselves to the test and try something new - but unfortunately when it comes to DIY, we’re often left scratching our heads as we only manage to make our problems even worse.

That was confirmed this week in new research from Halifax home insurance. The provider found that more than seven million Brits are living with a NERD - that’s a never-ending renovation project, or in other words, an unfinished piece of DIY. In fact more than 1.7million households have put up with this problem for more than two years.

There are many reasons why we never get around to finishing these projects, from time pressures to financial constraints. The problem many of us have, however, is that our DIY efforts turn into DIY disasters and we often have to call in the experts to finish the job. This can be as expensive as it is frustrating - and it often leaves us to rely on having comprehensive home insurance in place.

Why home insurance is the most important tool for DIY

According to research from Zurich home insurance, Brits collectively shell out more than £1.5 billion on rectifying their DIY mishaps, with almost one in six homeowners who do DIY eventually calling in the experts.

Though our intentions are good, this is an expensive business. Calling out a professional to carry out repairs typically costs £280 a time and some work can be as expensive as £2,000. There are many reasons why we make these mistakes ranging from inexperience (38 per cent) to underestimating the task at hand or simply not having the right tools to complete the job. Worryingly, around 11 per cent of those surveyed said they never even researched what was involved to complete the project.

When things go wrong, we inevitably call on our home insurance policies to bail us out. However, many homeowners are being left frustrated because they don’t have the level of cover they need.

For example, around 17 per cent of homeowners do not have accidental damage cover - the element of a policy you’ll need to make a claim after a DIY mishap. Around half of the homeowners surveyed (47 per cent) fail to inform their home insurance provider when they undertake work, and three quarters (73 per cent) do not know whether they’d be covered or not for mistakes committed by themselves or their partner.

These are worrying figures because the statistics prove that accidents do happen - and Brits need to have home insurance in place.

How to ensure you have appropriate home insurance cover

Before carrying out any DIY give your home insurance provider a call and ensure that you are covered for any actions you take - and for any damage. Even if accidental damage is not a standard feature on your policy it is usually available as an add-on though you should thoroughly read the terms and conditions to ensure the activity you have planned is not excluded.

It’s important to inform your insurer before you carry out any work, particularly structural changes, because these may affect future home insurance premiums. Any time you alter the building or contents of your home you must let your provider know so it can adjust your policy accordingly and you don’t risk invalidating any future claims.

How to avoid making home insurance claims

In an ideal world, everything will run smoothly with your project and making a claim will never be an issue. However, there are some simple steps you can take to help you avoid a fiasco.

Make sure you remove all the furniture from the room before beginning your task. This should include soft furnishings and ornaments - and really anything breakable. Then place down a dust sheet, especially if you plan to paint, and cover all the carpets and flooring.

Ensure that you don’t drill or hammer through any electrical cables or pipes by using a detector before you begin. Also remember that certain electrical work should only be carried out by a professional - so if you do make a mistake you might not be covered, and it can be extremely dangerous. You should thoroughly read the instructions that accompany the manufacturer’s tools before carrying out any labor.

Remember that taking on any sizable DIY project risks invalidating a home insurance policy and if you cause a fire with faulty wiring or flood the house when installing a shower you could be left to pick up the bill of any claim. So check your home insurance policy before you get to work - and if necessary compare home insurance online to find suitable cover at the right price.